The film "Possible Love" has earned the honor of being named the best film of 2026 by domestic film critics.
The 46th Youngpyung Awards, co-hosted by the Korean Association of Film Critics (led by President Seo Gok-sook) and the Korean Film Archive (led by Director Mo Eun-young), took place at 6:00 p.m. on November 4 at Hall 1 of Cinematheque KOFA in Mapo-gu, Seoul, hosted by actors Cho Han-cheul and Jang Sun.
The Best Film award went to Pine House Film, the production company behind "Possible Love" (directed by Lee Chang-dong). Lee Joon-dong, CEO of Pine House Film, shared his thoughts, saying, "Before filming, I worried whether the stamina of Korean cinema had weakened, but once shooting began, it completely changed. The staff and actors said they wished they could shoot for a few more days. I think that energy translated into high praise for the film."
Achievements in animation and documentaries were also celebrated. Director Kim Bo-sol, who won the Best New Director Award and the Independent Film Support Award in the feature film category for the animation "Square," stated, "I thought that if I made a movie I liked, at least people similar to me would like it. I take this award as a message of encouragement and support for my taste and my perspective on the world."
Director Park Bong-nam of "1980 Sabuk," which was selected for the "Critics' Top 10," received the Independent Film Support Award in the documentary category. He said, "I worked with the mindset of unearthing a piece of the truth of the incident from a dark coal mine and revealing it to the world. I thank the Sabuk miners and their families who remained as witnesses. I will engrave today as an opportunity to reflect on how I will live out the remainder of my time as a documentary director."
Jeon Do-yeon, winner of the Best Actress award for "Possible Love," reflected on the time she has protected herself as an actor. She stated, "Whether I received awards or the love of the audience, or not, I always returned with new works and characters. The best actress in my heart has always been myself. I have come this far by cheering for and protecting myself. I will continue to walk my path well in the future."
"Hope" secured three wins, including Best Director (Na Hong-jin), Best Actor (Zo In-sung), and Best Cinematography (Hong Kyung-pyo). Zo In-sung, who won Best Actor, expressed gratitude to Director Na Hong-jin for drawing out a new side of him and dedicated the honor of the award to the audience who completed the film.
For Seo Soo-bin, recipient of the Best New Actress award for "Master of the World," the venue held a special meaning. She shared, "Two years ago, when I was struggling and wandering while preparing for the film, I was reading the script at the Korean Film Archive, sat down on the second floor, and cried my eyes out saying I couldn't do it. I didn't have the courage to say I would quit, so I managed to see it through, and receiving such a big award in this spot two years later brings back a flood of emotions. Thank you to Director Yoon Ga-eun, who scolded me with affection back then and now."
Ko Eun-ah, recipient of the Achievement Award in Film, debuted in 1965 with "Rain of Orchid," starred in films like "The Seashore Village," and won Best Actress at the Grand Bell Awards for "Daughter-in-Law" and "Widow." She also participated in managing Hapdong Film Company and Seoul Cinema, laying the foundation for the production, distribution, and screening of Korean cinema. Attendees, including younger filmmakers, stood up to listen to her acceptance speech and sent applause. Ko Eun-ah said, "Listening to the acceptance speeches, 61 years flashed through my mind. Thoughts of my first project and my colleagues came to mind. I am looking not toward the east where the sun rises, but toward the west where the sun sets. Thank you for allowing me to hold a precious trophy rather than empty hands."
Oh Jung-se, winner of the Best Supporting Actor award, who was unable to attend due to a filming schedule, delivered his acceptance speech through a video filmed in front of the venue beforehand. The audience responded enthusiastically while his witty acceptance video played.
The newly established OTT Series Best Actor and Actress awards this year went to Hyun Bin ("Made in Korea") and Shin Hye-sun ("Lady Dua"), while the Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards were given to Noh Jae-won ("Made in Korea") and Jang Young-nam ("Donggung").
Among them, Jang Young-nam shed tears during her speech. She expressed, "There has never been a moment of satisfaction while acting. I wanted to do well, but things didn't go as I wished, which led me to push and shrink myself. Looking back at the path I have walked and the path I will walk forward, today's award feels like a great gift to me."
■ Winners by Category
- Best Film: "Possible Love" (Pine House Film)
- Achievement Award in Film: Actor Ko Eun-ah
- Best Director: Director Na Hong-jin, "Hope"
- Best Actress: Actor Jeon Do-yeon, "Possible Love"
- Best Actor: Actor Zo In-sung, "Hope"
- Best Supporting Actress: Actor Ye Soo-jung, "People and Meat"
- Best Supporting Actor: Actor Oh Jung-se, "Wild Things"
- Best Screenplay: Director Byun Sung-hyun, Writer Lee Jin-sung, "Good News"
- Best Cinematography: Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, "Hope"
- Best Technical Award (Sound): Sound Director Kim Young-ho, "Salmokji"
- Best Music: Music Director Lee Min-hwi, "Pavane"
- Independent Film Support Award: Documentary Category - Director Park Bong-nam, "1980 Sabuk" / Feature Film Category - Director Kim Bo-sol, "Square"
- Best Acting Ensemble: "People and Meat"
- Best New Director: Director Kim Bo-sol, "Square"
- Best New Actress: Actor Seo Soo-bin, "Master of the World"
- Best New Actor: Actor Park Ji-hun, "The King and the Man"
- Youngpyung Achievement Award: Film Critic Kim Doo-ho (15th President of the Korean Association of Film Critics)
- OTT Series Best Actress: Actor Shin Hye-sun, "Lady Dua"
- OTT Series Best Actor: Actor Hyun Bin, "Made in Korea"
- OTT Series Best Supporting Actress: Actor Jang Young-nam, "Donggung"
- OTT Series Best Supporting Actor: Actor Noh Jae-won, "Made in Korea"
- Best New Critic: Lee Joon-hyuk, Lim Tae-gyu (Excellence Award)
- International Film Award: "Two Prosecutors" Distributor M&M International
- NETPAC Award (FIPRESCI Korea): Domestic Category - Director Yang Jong-hyun, "People and Meat" / International Category - Director Lee Sang-il, "National Treasure"
■ 'Critics' Top 10' Selections (in alphabetical order)
"Good News" (Byun Sung-hyun)
"Master of the World" (Yoon Ga-eun)
"1980 Sabuk" (Park Bong-nam)
"Pavane" (Lee Jong-pil)
"People and Meat" (Yang Jong-hyun)
"Possible Love" (Lee Chang-dong)
"Salmokji" (Lee Sang-min)
"The Assassins" (Huh Jin-ho)
"The King and the Man" (Jang Hang-jun)
"Hope" (Na Hong-jin)
(Photo: Kim Ji-hye, SBS Entertainment News)
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